Journalist's Notebook

Column: Do Gays Have It Better Today & Is It Enough?

Do Gays Have It Better Today & Is It Enough?

By: David Shepherd [dshepherd@wtwo.com]

Editor’s Note: This column is one reporter’s opinion and do not necessarily reflect those of WTWO-TV, NBC Universal, Nexstar Broadcasting, or any of their sponsors. This column contains strong language and sexual material that may not be appropriate for all readers. Reader discretion is advised.

Faggot, queer, homo: they are words commonly used today to disparage and hurt others. They are words that are used, not just targeting homosexuals, but anyone who is the target of bullying. Ever hear someone say, “Oh, that’s so gay?” But it seems America is turning a corner where, in many places, those words are no longer tolerated (much like the word nigger).

Many Americans today, gay and straight, see those words as ignorant and closed minded. But still, we hear it much too often on our streets, in our schools, and just about anywhere else we go in public.

Looking back at it now, in 2010, it’s hard to believe there was a time in the United States where homosexuality was considered a mental disorder. Gay men and women were institutionalized for the “perverted compulsions” and an employee could be fired if he or she were suspected of being homosexual.

For centuries, the gay stigma terrified so many people that coming out and living life openly gay was unsafe. Those courageous enough to come out were often blackballed; thought of as deviants and mentally sick. There were no laws protecting a homosexual’s rights to housing, employment, college acceptance, marriage or any other gay issue you can think of.

Matthew Shepard’s Brutal Killing Brings Gay Issues Front and Center

It wasn’t until the brutal killing of gay student Matthew Shepard in October of 1998 that gay rights issues took center stage, both in the national media and in Congress. Shepard was kidnapped by two men in Laramie, Wyoming, tied to a fence and beaten to death because he was gay.

Officers who responded to the crime scene later described the 21-year-old Shepard as beaten so badly; the only parts of his face not covered in blood were two streaks running down his cheeks from his eyes where he cried as he was left tied to the fence to die a long, painful death.

In the years following that horrific crime, lawmakers on both the state and federal level, have taken a more serious look at hate crime legislation as well as other gay rights issues.

Many gay rights activists have praised the work that’s been done thus far, but many will still tell you more work must be done.

Lawrence v. Texas

Gay rights advocates claimed another victory in 2003 when the United States Supreme Court struck down Texas’ sodomy law in the landmark, Lawrence v. Texas case. Before the high court made their ruling, 14 states still had anti-sodomy laws on the books. Knowing they could no longer enforce those laws after the Supreme Court’s ruling, those states took the law off the books.

It all started on September 17, 1998. Harris County police were called out to Lawrence’s home after a neighbor, who later admitted to police he lied, reported there was a weapon disturbance taking place there. Sheriff’s Deputy Joseph Quinn entered the apartment, gun drawn, and caught the two men having consensual anal sex.

They were arrested, not for the erroneous report of a weapon, but for violating the state’s Homosexual Conduct Law, which prohibited anal and oral sex among people of the same sex but did not apply to those, participating in the same sexual activity, if the participants were members of the opposite sex.

The two men were arrested and each posted $200 bail after spending the night in jail. A judge fined the two $400 dollars for their crime and were forced to pay over $100 in court costs.

The case eventually made it to the United States Supreme Court. Their ruling made it so no other same sex couple would ever have to face that kind of discrimination again.

The most frightening, and some would say sickening, part of this is that 14 states had similar laws on the books before the high court’s ruling.

Things Get Even Better For Gay Community

Many states have debated the issue of gay marriage in recent years. Many states passed constitutional amendments “protecting the sanctity of marriage,” ensuring marriages there stay between one man and one woman.

But 5 states and the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) have legalized gay marriage as lawmakers in other states are hoping to do the same thing. President Obama is against gay marriage, but believes in civil unions, which grant gay couples the same rights and benefits as “traditional marriage,” and equal rights for all Americans despite their sexual orientation.

Now, the Obama administration is renewing their vow to the gay community to pass more pro-gay laws including employment non-discrimination based on sexual orientation, and the controversial, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, baring gay men and women from serving openly in the military.

Allowing gays to serve openly will “hurt morale,” and “disrupt the unit,” according to many military officials. The problem with that is that same rational was used to bar blacks from serving with whites in the early 1900’s. The military officials were right. It did hurt morale and disrupt the unit. But the unit got over it and today, the thought of racially segregating the brave men and women who serve our country would be thought of as absurd and racist.

Cut the President Some Slack

MSNBC Photo

But not all homosexuals are happy with the administration’s “lack of action.” As an openly gay man, television journalist, active member of the Episcopal Church, and partner to a wonderful man, Shawn, the gay community needs to cut President Obama some slack.

Many are angry Mr. Obama hasn’t acted on gay rights issues sooner. When he took office, President Obama was facing huge issues that were affecting millions of Americans. Mothers couldn’t afford to put food on the table for their families, the job market tanked, and healthcare reform was needed to ensure all Americans have access to quality healthcare for themselves and their children.

The President adopted a national emergency from the previous administration and, in times of such an emergency, social issues need to take a backseat until the devastating problems plaguing our country improve. Yes, Shawn and I would love to get married, but I can’t justify fast-tracking my social agenda while children are starving and can’t see a doctor because their parents can’t afford it.

As the economy improves and healthcare reform moves forward, Mr. Obama is now making gay rights a priority. He’s fulfilling his promise and he started as soon as he was responsibly able. If you expect anything else from the President of the United States, you are kidding yourself.

We are very lucky to have such a progressive President (whether you subscribe to his politics or not) and, quite frankly, he may be the most pro-gay person we will see in the White House for a long time.

Moving Forward and My Prayer

Americans are becoming more accepting of gay issues and homosexuals today have it much better than they did just a few years ago. That said, yes, there is more work to do. I’m not an activist by any means, I’m a journalist.

It’s my hope and prayer that there will be a day where every couple is able to express their love for one another through marriage, gay or straight. I pray to see a day where our schools crack down on bullying and harassment of all students, no matter what their sexual orientation.

Progress comes in painfully slow increments. The only thing we can do, as a society, is continue to love one another with all that we have, fight to ensure all Americans have equal rights, and pray the day will come when we can all join hands together, despite race, sexual orientation, gender or religion, as one people; all children of God.

Early December Cold Snap Grips the Nation

Frigid weather is gripping much of the country as far south as Florida.

Fort Lauderdale hit a record low temperature for this date (Tuesday) at 40 degrees. The old record was 42 set in 1841.

The National Weather Service issued hard freeze warnings Tuesday night into Wednesday morning for much of Florida with freeze advisories as far south as Hollywood.

Cold and snow have hit parts of North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Winter weather advisories are in effect for parts of those states with more snow expected.

IN Voters to Decide Whether Prop. Tax Caps Are Put In Constitution

David Shepherd - Nov. 2

Question 1 on the ballot in Indiana asks voters if they support making Property Tax Cap laws part of the state constitution.

Lawmakers expect the proposal to pass, but Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett says the caps are bad for cities who are struggling with the lack of revenue.

The Mayor says more cuts must be made to make up for the loss in revenue from the property tax caps.
Over the past two years, the caps have forced the city to cut more than $5.5-million.

Terre Haute is the 7th hardest hit city in the state when it comes to the caps' effects.

"It all sounds good. Everybody wants their taxes to go down," says Bennett. "But people don't realize that the translation is, you pay less, there's less service and people are not going to be happy with that in future years. I've not seen a lot of resistance to it out there and I don't think people really understand the true impact and cities and towns are the hardest hit because you can't raise any new revenue."

One city service that won't be cut this year is the city's leaf pick-up.

Last year, city leaders thought they wouldn't be able to afford to do it this year.

Wednesday, the Mayor said they'll make one pass to pick up the leaves if they are raked out to the curb.
Republic will also continue to collect bagged leaves.

The Mayor doesn't know if the city will be able to afford the program next year.

VA Man Accused of Plot to Bomb DC Metro

David Shepherd - Oct. 27

A Virginia man, born in Pakistan, was arrested Wednesday for allegedly casing Washington area Metro stations to possibly carry out a bomb plot on the Nation’s Capitol, police sources said.

34-year-old Farooque Ahmed is accused of approaching government employees, he thought were al-Qaida operatives, to join the so called bomb plot on Washington’s Metro.

NBC News has learned the ruse was conducted over the past six months and it allegedly involved Ahmed handing over video of northern Virginia subway stations to the men the thought were connected to the terror group.

Sources say he suggested using rolling suitcases, instead of backpacks, to kill as many people as possible.
Investigators also tell NBC Farooque offered to donate money to al-Qaida.

The FBI says the public was never in danger since agents knew what Ahmed was up to. They say he was monitored throughout the entire course of the investigation.

Hundreds Feared Dead in Mexican Mudslide

FROM MSNBC: Hundreds of people were buried in their homes early Tuesday after a rain-soaked mountainside gave way in southwestern Mexico, officials said.

Donato Vargas, an official in Santa Maria Tlahuitoltepec reached by phone, said 500 people were missing and that 300 homes were buried after the slide around 4 a.m. local time.

"We were all sleeping and all I heard was a loud noise and when I left the house I saw that the hill had fallen," Vargas said.

"It has been difficult informing authorities because the roads are very bad and there isn't a good signal for our phone," Vargas said shortly before the call dropped.

Reached by the news agency AFP, Vargas added that "we fear that those missing are buried inside their homes because we've already searched nearby areas."

Mr. Colbert Goes to Washington (But Did Congress Get the Joke?)

David Shepherd - Sept. 24

It was suppose to be “lol” funny! But I’m not sure members of Congress got the joke.
Comedy Central star Stephen Colbert appeared on Capitol Hill today as a witness on the issue of migrant farm work.

The funnyman was invited to speak to the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security by the co-chair

“I certainly hope that my star power can bump this hearing all the way up to C-SPAN One,” Colbert told members of the subcommittee.

Stephen Colbert’s character comes across as a right-wing activist, ready to join the Republicans at any moment (while not confirmed, most think it’s just an act).

“We have to do something” about the plight of farm workers “because I am not going back out there,” Colbert jabbed.

“At this point, I break into a cold sweat at the sight of a salad bar,” he said.

It’s obvious his comments were meant to be taken light-heartedly by the elected officials but, as TV cameras showed glimpses of the committee members, not many seemed amused.

Some chuckled, others laughed out loud, but the majority rolled their eyes and sat expressionless as Colbert ranted on several issues including immigration and the economy.

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Thank you for checking out my blog. Feel free to browse, comment and participate in my Sound-Off Web Polls.

The information in these stories come from several sources from network news to my own sources in Indiana, Washington D.C. and elsewhere.

While many other blogs give the author's point of view on a variety of topics, it's my goal to present the information in an impartial fashion so you, the reader, can form opinions for yourselves.

I'm a firm believer in the old-fashioned style of news where the accurate information is the highlight, not the "If it bleeds, it leads" philosophy.

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David Shepherd Wins “Best in General News” Award

I was recently honored to win a Spectrum Award for Best in General News by the Indiana Broadcasters Association for a story I did for NBC 2 WTWO-TV in Terre Haute.

This is my first award from the Broadcasters Association.

I’d like to thank my photographer, Josh Lum, for shooting and editing the piece. Without his stellar work, this award would not have been possible.

Democrats Stump For Last Minute Votes

David Shepherd - Nov. 2

Democratic candidates for state office were in Terre Haute Friday stumping for last minute votes.

The candidates for State Treasurer, Secretary of State, and State Auditor greeted supporters.

As the election enters the home stretch, the democrats know they have ground to make up if they want to pull out a win on Tuesday.

Democratic Senate candidate Brad Ellsworth also made a stop in the Valley Friday.

Ellsworth spoke to a group of ISU students at Rhodes Hall.

The Senate hopeful discussed a variety of issues including Cap and Trade and the economy.

Ellsworth says his campaign is in full gear leading up to Tuesday’s election.

"It's going really well. I just left Indianapolis. I was in a room full of people; volunteers that were stuffing walking bags and making phone calls and that's really what it's down to now, is the ground game of who gets the votes out."

President’s Approval Drops to All-Time Low

David Shepherd - Sept. 24

Democrats are starting to smell blood in the water as new polling shows President Barrack Obama’s approval rating dropping to record lows.

Only 42 percent of Americans approve of President Barrack Obama’s job performance, according to a new CNN / Opinion Research Corporation poll. The poll shows 54 percent of Americans are not satisfied with the administration’s performance.

A sluggish economy and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have taken support for Mr. Obama to an all-time low.

Other democrats, some who are running in November’s mid-term elections, aren’t doing much better.
Congressional Democrats face a nine-point deficit when those polled were asked which party they’ll support in November.

Some political analysts say Republicans have a serious shot at picking up the 39 seats needed to re-take control of the House of Representatives (currently held by the Democrats).

Those Democrats may not be asking the President to stump for them any time soon. Only 37 percent of likely voters say they are more likely to vote for a candidate backed by Mr. Obama.

Nearly half of those polled said they’d likely choose a candidate supported by the Tea Party movement, an ultra-conservative base that’s gained growing support in recent months.

The poll also shows the majority of Americans believe Republicans, in general, are more engaged and excited about voting than their Democratic counterparts.

President Calls Ahmadinejad’s Comments “Offensive and Hateful”

David Shepherd - Sept. 24

President Obama called Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s comments to the U.N. on Thursday “offensive and hateful.”

"Well, it was offensive. It was hateful," Obama said in part of an interview with BBC Persian released by the White House.

"And particularly for him to make the statement here in Manhattan, just a little north of ground zero, where families lost their loved ones -- people of all faiths, all ethnicities who see this as the seminal tragedy of this generation -- for him to make a statement like that was inexcusable," Obama said.

During Thursday’s U.N. address, Ahmadinejad blamed the United States for the terror attacks on September 11, 2001, saying the U.S. was behind it.

I Iranian President’s remarks caused delegates from the United States, Europe and other countries to walk out of the U.N. General Assembly in the middle of his speech.

counterpart Friday for what he called offensive and hateful remarks about the September 11 attacks.